Wiltshire Police
South West · Territorial force · 1,150 officers
Key Statistics
Officers
1,150
Staff
550
Area (sq miles)
1,346
Population served
730,000
About Wiltshire Police
Covering Swindon, Salisbury and the Wiltshire plains including Stonehenge. A smaller rural force with military garrison towns providing unique policing demands.
Wiltshire Police serves a diverse geographic area in the South West of England, encompassing urban centers like Swindon and Salisbury as well as extensive rural landscapes, including notable sites such as Stonehenge. The force's operational landscape is shaped by its proximity to military garrison towns, which creates unique policing demands, particularly regarding community engagement and public safety in these areas. Additionally, Wiltshire Police borders several other police jurisdictions, necessitating cooperation and coordination on cross-border issues. The transport infrastructure includes significant road networks and rail services that support both the local economy and tourism, further influencing policing priorities.
Among its notable specialist units, Wiltshire Police boasts an armed response team, a dedicated rural crime team addressing issues specific to the countryside, and a proactive dog unit that supports various operational needs. The force is also recognized for its effectiveness in handling cybercrime, reflecting the growing importance of digital security in today's policing environment. Recent efforts have focused on enhancing community engagement, addressing violence against women and girls, and improving road safety, which underscores the force's commitment to public service and community well-being. These priorities reflect a strategic aim to foster safer environments throughout Wiltshire.
Current priorities
- Enhancing community engagement
- Addressing violence against women and girls
- Improving road safety
- Tackling rural crime
Notable specialisms
Source: About Wiltshire Police. Summary fetched 2026-07-05.
Public-data snapshot
Workforce
Officers
1,150
Staff
550
Total headcount
1,700
Source: Home Office Police Workforce Statistics as of 31 March 2025 · OGL v3
HMICFRS PEEL rating
See per-pillar grades
Inspection cycle: 2023-2025
Source: HMICFRS PEEL assessments · Open Government Licence v3.0
In recent oversight reports
Wiltshire Police is named in 2 recent IOPC investigation outcomes or HMICFRS thematic reports.
Independent investigation into police contact before Wiltshire bridge fall death
2026-05-01 · IOPC
Met officer cleared over David Carrick conduct investigation
2026-03-20 · IOPC
From data.police.uk
data.police.uk covers England, Wales & Northern Ireland; not Police Scotland.
Stop and search
Latest available month: 2026-08. 173 recorded stop-and-search records that month. Officer-defined ethnicity was recorded on 68.8% of records.
By object of search (2026-08)
| Controlled drugs | 67 |
| Stolen goods | 38 |
| Offensive weapons | 26 |
| (not recorded) | 16 |
| Articles for use in criminal damage | 11 |
| Article for use in theft | 7 |
| Firearms | 4 |
| Evidence of offences under the Act | 3 |
| Evidence of wildlife offences | 1 |
By outcome (2026-08)
| A no further action disposal | 96 |
| Arrest | 42 |
| Community resolution | 15 |
| (not recorded) | 12 |
| Summons / charged by post | 4 |
| Caution (simple or conditional) | 3 |
| Khat or Cannabis warning | 1 |
Source: data.police.uk · Open Government Licence v3.0
Recorded crime by category
4,572 crimes recorded by Wiltshire Police in 2026-08 (latest published month), by category. Counted from the published street-level archive; England, Wales & Northern Ireland only.
| Crime type (2026-08) | Recorded |
|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,597 |
| Anti-social behaviour | 1,030 |
| Shoplifting | 415 |
| Public order | 377 |
| Criminal damage and arson | 365 |
| Other theft | 229 |
| Vehicle crime | 142 |
| Burglary | 127 |
| Drugs | 87 |
| Other crime | 71 |
| Bicycle theft | 42 |
| Possession of weapons | 37 |
| Theft from the person | 29 |
| Robbery | 24 |
| Total | 4,572 |
Source: data.police.uk street-level archive · Open Government Licence v3.0
Deaths during or following police contact
IOPC-recorded fatalities involving Wiltshire Police over 2004/05 to 2024/25 (2024/25 in brackets). These use the IOPC’s five categories, which have different definitions and are not additive. Figures count incidents the IOPC attributed to Wiltshire Police; see the national page for how multi-force incidents are handled.
Recruitment
How to join Wiltshire Police
Application stages, entry routes, fitness and vetting requirements.